Adaptive beacon report for client devices

ABSTRACT

Network side beacon reports (NSBRs) may be generated based on probe signals received from one or more client devices (CDs) in a wireless network. Once enabled, an NSBR mode is configured to generate NSBRs remotely from a CD. When in the NSBR mode, an NSBR may be generated based on compiled probe signal parameters associated with one or more probe signals received from the CD.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to optimizing communications ina wireless network.

BACKGROUND

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 is partof the IEEE 802 local area network (LAN) protocols. IEEE 802 describeshow client devices (CDs) are to roam in a wireless network when a CDgets out of range of one Access Point (AP) and attempts to associatewith a new AP. A goal of IEEE 802.11k is to reduce an amount of timespent roaming by a CD between APs and thereby attempt to minimize theimpact of roaming on performance. The IEEE 802.11k protocol providesmechanisms for APs and CDs to measure available radio resources andincludes neighbor reporting, beacon reporting, and link measurementreporting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of wireless network;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for generating a Network Side BeaconReport (NSBR) based on received probe signals;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a method for generating an NSBR based on receivedprobe signals; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Network Side Beacon Reports (NSBRs) may be generated based on probesignals received from one or more Client Devices (CDs) in a wirelessnetwork. Once initiated, an NSBR mode may be configured to generateNSBRs remotely from a CD. When in the NSBR mode, an NSBR may begenerated based on compiled probe signal parameters associated with oneor more probe signals received from the CD.

Both the foregoing overview and the following example embodiments areexamples and explanatory only, and should not be considered to restrictthe disclosure's scope, as described and claimed. Furthermore, featuresand/or variations may be provided in addition to those described. Forexample, embodiments of the disclosure may be directed to variousfeature combinations and sub-combinations described in the exampleembodiments.

Example Embodiments

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example,substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may bemodified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosedmethods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limitthe disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is definedby the appended claims.

Under Institute for Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.11k, beacon reportsmay be generated by Client Devices (CDs) as each CD scans channels for adefined duration followed by transmission of a measurement or beaconreport to one or more Access Points (APs). One scan type under IEEE802.11k enables an active beacon measurement mode where a CD sends aprobe request to a broadcast destination address on all supportedchannels, sets a measurement duration timer, and compiles all receivedbeacons or probe responses from one or more APs into a beacon reportafter the measurement duration.

A beacon measurement is a type of radio resource measurement thatinforms a CD of what APs are within range of the CD. Conventionally, anAP transmits a request to CDs for a beacon measurement. In response tothe beacon measurement request from the AP, each supporting CD may senda beacon report to the requesting AP. A beacon measurement request canoptionally provide detailed instructions, such as available channels, ameasurement duration, Service Set Identifier (SSID), Basic Service SetIdentifier (BSSID), etc.

However, having CDs scan channels and generate beacon reports requirespotentially disrupting on-demand measurements to scan channels andmeasure the wireless space around the CD in order to generate beaconreports. Unnecessary scanning operations performed by a CD may be timeconsuming, energy inefficient, and potentially detrimental toperformance, particularly for CDs executing latency-sensitiveapplications. For example, a CD engaged in an active voice session mayobserve packet losses and/or reduced Quality of Service (QoS) whenattempting to respond to a beacon report request that includes scanningfor potentially hundreds of milliseconds (ms) to measure beacons onon-channel and/or off-channel frequencies in order to generate aclient-based beacon report. Additionally, CDs that are not configuredfor IEEE 802.11k operation may not be equipped with the capability toprovide beacon reports.

The present disclosure provides a Network Side Beacon Report (NSBR) modethat generates NSBRs based on probe signals received from CDs in awireless environment. As described below, NSBRs may be used to quantifyan operational state of the wireless environment and/or to generatecontrol signals and/or operational suggestions to CDs that may improveor maintain a QoS, improve battery life, reduce packet losses, etc. Asdescribed below, an NSBR may be analyzed to ascertain operationalinformation of the wireless environment for a particular CD which mayinclude roaming and/or scanning trends of the CD.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary wireless network 100 forenabling an NSBR mode for generating NSBRs. As shown in FIG. 1, anexemplary wireless network 100 includes a first AP 105, a second AP 110,a third AP 115, a CD 120, and a controller 125. Each AP may be anetworking hardware device that enables other devices, such as CD 120,to connect to wireless network 100. Controller 125 is in communicationwith AP 105 via communication link 130 (e.g., wired and/or wirelesslinks). Controller 125 is in communication with AP 110 via communicationlink 135 (e.g., wired and/or wireless links). Controller 125 is also incommunication with AP 115 via communication link 140 (e.g., wired and/orwireless links). Controller 125 may be provisioned as a master AP, acloud-based device, a separate device, and/or otherwise configured.

As shown for the example of FIG. 1, AP 105 is in communication with CD120 via wireless communication link 145, AP 110 is in communication withCD 120 via wireless communication link 150, and AP 115 is incommunication with CD 120 via wireless communication link 155. AP 105,AP 110, AP 115, and CD 120 each include a radio communication systemincluding radios and antennas configured to transmit and receivewireless signals transmitted in wireless network 100 via the respectivecommunication links. AP 105, AP 110, AP 115, and CD 120 may use therespective radio communication systems to establish communication overwireless network 100 (e.g., a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)). Forexample, CD 120 may currently be associated with AP 110, where AP 105and AP 115 are neighboring APs. While three APs and one CD are shown inFIG. 1, the disclosure is not so limited and may include additional orfewer APs, additional CDs, and/or other network infrastructure.

As described below, according to aspects of the disclosure, probe signalparameters from AP neighbors or other APs that have received probesignals from CD 120 (e.g., APs in a local site) may be used to generatean NSBR. In some cases, controller 125 may compile an NSBR for CD 120each time an AP receives a probe signal from CD 120. In other cases,controller 125 may generate an NSBR for CD 120 at select times such asafter a defined duration that encompasses multiple probe signalsreceived from CD 120 for example. In some aspects, an AP that receivesprobe signals from a CD may generate an NSBR and forward to controller125. Controller 125 may store generated NSBRs for CDs, including CD 120,in a database or memory data structure associated with wireless network100.

Controller 125 may also delete NSBRs from the database or memory datastructure after a certain time (e.g., after x minutes, hourly, daily,etc.) and/or as CDs roam away from wireless network 100. For example,once a probe signal collection duration expires, controller 125 maydelete a previously compiled NSBR which may be replaced by a new NSBR.As an example, an NSBR for CD 120 may include probe signal parametersassociated with multiple probe signals received from CD 120 over someduration (e.g., compile probe signals every×ms) or may be limited to acertain number of probe signals that have been received (e.g., the last3 probe signals).

As described above, in some aspects, controller 125, an AP, or someother device may be used to initiate the NSBR mode. For example,controller 125 may initiate the NSBR mode when, according to capabilityparameters of CD 120, CD 120 is incapable of generating a beacon report.As another example, controller 125 may initiate the NSBR mode when CD120 is running or preparing to run an application where generating abeacon report would be detrimental to the operation of the application.As one implementation example, CD 120 may be running a latency-sensitiveapplication where it may be detrimental to pause application operationsin order to scan channels and generate a beacon report by CD 120.Therefore, it may be beneficial to have the network side generate anNSBR for CD 120 based on one or more probe signals received from CD 120so that CD 120 may continue to execute an on-going application withoutinterruption.

As CD 120 actively probes the wireless network 100, one or more of AP105, AP 110, and 115 may receive a probe signal (e.g., a probe frame)from CD 120. Once the NSBR mode is initiated, controller 125 or one ormore of AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115 may begin to compile probe signalparameters associated with probe signals sent by CD 120. Controller 125,one or more of AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115, or a different network devicemay use NSBRs to obtain additional information about an operationalstate of a wireless environment by observing where and/or when probesignals are received as well as obtaining estimates of Downlink (DL)Received Signal Strength Indicators (RSSIs) based on received probesignals from CDs.

Using the additional information provided via an NSBR, the controller125, one or more may APs, or some other device may be able to assist CD120 to adjust roaming and/or scanning operations and thereby decreasetime spent quantifying the wireless environment by CD 120 and improve ormaintain a QoS for applications running on CD 120. Since NSBRs aregenerated on the network side, CD 120 may be able to ignore beaconreport requests from APs (or APs may simply not send beacon reportrequests to CD 120 when NSBR mode is initiated) and/or CD 120 may spendless time scanning wireless network 100 allowing more time and bandwidthto be dedicated to crucial data communications and/or other tasks.Additionally, using the network side to generate NSBRs may potentiallyreduce an amount of power consumed by CD 120 which may result inextended battery life and/or energy savings due to a reduced amount ofscanning required by for CD 120.

In certain aspects, controller 125 may analyze one or more parameters ofan NSBR for CD 120 (e.g., a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) device)to: observe roaming patterns including using a DL RSSI generated on thenetwork side to quantify roaming trends for CD 120; quantify DL RSSItrends and/or other operational trends according to received probesignals from CD 120; determine how often CD 120 spends probing thewireless network 100; analyze computed Uplink (UL) RSSI values ofreceived probe signals and/or the NSBR for CD 120 at various times orintervals to determine a QOS for mobility patterns and/or where reducedperformance occurs for CD 120; determine when a final roaming scanoccurs before CD 120 roams away from an associated AP (e.g., AP 110);etc.

Controller 125, an AP, or some other device may be able to analyzetrends of probe signal transmissions and/or durations between probesignal transmissions to provide an indication or suggestion to CD 120 ofa defined time or time interval of when to perform a roaming scan. As anexample, information compiled from one or more client generated beaconreports may be compared with information of one or more NSBRs toquantify an amount of variance in the DL RSSI estimations as compared toactual signal information seen at one or more CDs (e.g., actual DL RSSIvalues seen at the CDs). The observed variance may be used as a factorto improve accuracy of future DL RSSI estimations. CD 120 is free toignore a network side suggestion, such as when CD 120 is experiencing arapidly declining DL RSSI for example, and may prefer to start a roamingscan as soon as possible or practicable.

As described above, compiled probe signal parameters may be used by thecontroller 125, a Master AP, or another device to generate an NSBR thatis associated with CD 120. Controller 125 may generate NSBRs foradditional CDs that may or may not be associated with wireless network100. NSBRs may be shared with other controllers, neighbor APs, CD 120,etc. In an aspect, a serving AP serving CD 120 may share an NSBR, orcertain parameters of the NSBR, with one or more neighbor APs as part ofsynchronizing a group of neighbor APs to report probing informationreceived from CD 120 to controller 125 or the serving AP. For example,each AP may compile received probe signal parameters and generate anNSBR which can be transmitted or shared with controller 125 for useacross a group of APs (e.g., a local site) or with the serving AP. AnNSBR may be generated or updated for CD 120 based on each received probesignal, at desired times to include a collection of probe signalparameters for a plurality of received probe signals, and/or after acertain probe collection duration.

Controller 125 or one or more of AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115 may use theNSBR to generate commands to CD 120 and/or adjust operational aspects ofwireless network 100. According to an aspect, one or more of AP 105, AP110, and AP 115 may transmit a probe signal response frame to CD 120that includes a trigger (e.g., a message) for initiating a roaming scanaccording to the NSBR. For example, one or more of AP 105, AP 110, andAP 115 may transmit a probe signal response frame to CD 120 thatincludes a message for CD 120 to initiate a roaming scan when CD 120reaches or is in some defined proximity to a network edge. As anotherexample, in response to a probe signal received from CD 120, one or moreof AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115 may transmit a probe signal response frameto CD 120 that includes a suggested timing adjustment for initiating aroaming scan by CD 120 according to parameters of an NSBR for CD 120, sothat CD 120 may adjust, delay, or prioritize the start of roaming scan.

According to an aspect, controller 125 or one or more of AP 105, AP 110,and AP 115 may adaptively switch from an NSBR mode to a client-basedbeacon report mode (e.g., legacy mode) (or vice versa). For example,operational parameters may be used to trigger an adaptive change fromone compilation mode to another. According to an aspect, an ApplicationVisibility Control parameter, a User Priority parameter, and a SessionProfile parameter may be used to trigger switching between compilationmodes.

The Application Visibility Control parameter may be used to account forthe types of stations that are currently associated in the wirelessnetwork 100. The User Priority parameter accounts for the priority ofdata traffic in the network. Priority is based on data access categories(e.g., video, voice, best effort, background, etc.) that indicate acriticality of a station's (e.g., AP or CD) need to access a channel totransmit that data to prevent jitter and latency. For example, voice maybe given the highest priority followed by video, best effort, andbackground, respectively. To account for the priority of data traffic inthe network, a number of frames having a priority of at least x (e.g.,at least video) in the last t seconds are determined. If the determinednumber of frames is above a threshold or predefined value, thecompilation mode may be adaptively switched from a client-based beaconreport mode to an NSBR mode. The Session Profile parameter may be usedto account for a session profile of each CD differentiated by BSSID,which may include accounting for operational conditions when using theclient-based beacon report mode versus the NSBR mode (e.g., selectingthe mode that is more advantageous for the BSS at a particular time).

In other embodiments of the disclosure, rather than APs, devices may beused that may be connected to a cellular network that may communicatedirectly and wirelessly with end use devices to provide access towireless network 100 (e.g., Internet access). For example, these devicesmay comprise, but are not limited to, eNodeBs (eNBs) or gNodeBs (gNBs).A cellular network may comprise, but is not limited to, a Long TermEvolution (LTE) broadband cellular network, a Fourth Generation (4G)broadband cellular network, or a Fifth Generation (5G) broadbandcellular network, operated by a service provider. Notwithstanding,embodiments of the disclosure may use wireless communication protocolsusing, for example, Wi-Fi technologies, cellular networks, or any othertype of wireless communications.

CD 120 may comprise any type of device capable of roaming andtransmitting probe signals such as, but is not limited to, a laptopcomputer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, wearable computing device,an Internet-of-Things (IoTs) device, among other devices capable ofaccessing and using network 100 via one or more APs.

Components of wireless network 100 may be practiced in hardware and/orin software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) orin any other circuits or systems. The elements of wireless network 100may be practiced in electrical circuits comprising discrete electronicelements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logicgates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chipcontaining electronic elements, radio elements, or microprocessors.Furthermore, the components of wireless network 100 may also bepracticed using other technologies capable of performing logicaloperations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but notlimited to, mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. Asdescribed in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 4, aspects ofwireless network 100 may be practiced in a computing device 400.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in amethod 200 for generating an NSBR based on probe signals received fromCD 120 and/or other CDs. Method 200 may be executed in a wirelessenvironment (e.g., wireless network 100) that includes one or more APsand one or more CDs. As described above, conventionally in IEEE 802.11k,beacon reports are compiled by a CD (e.g., CD 120) that receives abeacon report request from one or more APs (e.g., AP 105, AP 110, AP115). In contrast to beacon report generation by CDs, method 200 may beused as part of a system that includes controller 125, one or more APs(e.g., AP 105, AP 110, AP 115), and CD 120 operating as part of wirelessnetwork 100 to enable use of received client probe signals to compile ameasurement or beacon report on the network side remotely from CD 120.Method 200 may be implemented using computing device 400 (e.g.,controller 125, AP 105, AP 110, or AP 115) as described in more detailbelow with respect to FIG. 4. Ways to implement the stages of method 200will be described in greater detail below.

Method 200 begins at block 205 and proceeds to stage 210 where method200 enables an NSBR mode to generate an NSBR for CD 120 based on probesignals received by one or more APs (e.g., AP 105, AP 110, AP 115) fromCD 120. Controller 125 and/or one or more of AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115may be configured to enable the NSBR mode which results in compilingunicast, multicast, or broadcast probe signals transmitted from CD 120and received by one or more of AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115 to generate anNSBR or measurement report remotely from CD 120.

As an example, the NSBR mode may be enabled in cases where APs and CDsmay or may not be IEEE 802.11k compliant. For example, in addition toother NSBR mode triggering events described herein, controller 125 or anAP that CD 120 is currently associated with (e.g., AP 110) may be usedto initiate the NSBR mode when CD 120 is not 802.11k compliant. Otherexample NSBR mode triggering events may include a determination that itwould be detrimental on the performance of CD 120 to generate a beaconreport or the CD 120 otherwise cannot currently generate a beaconreport, as described in more detail below.

Once the NSBR mode is enabled, as part of initiating a roaming scan, CD120 may transmit probe signals (e.g., unicast, multicast, or broadcast)over one or more of the wireless links (145, 150, 155) using one or morechannels available on AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115 as part of determiningwhether to roam to a new AP, wherein the probe signal parametersassociated with received probe signals may be compiled and used togenerate a beacon report remotely from CD 120.

As one implementation example, method 200 may rely on controller 125 toenable the NSBR mode when CD 120 is unable to generate a beacon reportor when it would be detrimental on the performance of CD 120 to generatea beacon report. For example, method 200 may use controller 125 toadaptively switch from a client-based beacon report generation mode(e.g., the IEEE 802.11k standard) to the NSBR mode for CD 120 dependingon a threshold Quality of Service (QoS) required for CD 120, a clientdevice type of CD 120, an application type running or queued to run onCD 120, capabilities of CD 120, previously compiled NSBRs for CD 120,probe signal trends for CD 120, RSSI trends associated with CD 120, acurrent operational state of wireless network 100, etc. Once in NSBRmode, one or more APs may discontinue requesting beacon reports untilthe NSBR mode is finished which may result in fewer beacon reportrequest transmissions and corresponding reduced traffic and/or overheadin wireless network 100.

At stage 215, method 200 compiles probe signal parameters from probesignals transmitted by CD 120. For example, probe signals transmittedfrom CD 120 may be compiled by controller 125 after being received byone or more of AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115 as part of scheduled oradaptive probing operations of the operational environment by CD 120.Method 200 may compile probe signal parameters for each probe signaltransmitted by CD 120 or aggregate probe signal parameters associatedwith a plurality of probe signals transmitted by CD 120 after a definedtime or a defined time duration for example.

At stage 220, method 200 generates an NSBR based on the compiled probesignal parameters for CD 120. Method 200 may use controller 125 togenerate an NSBR for CD 120 or rely on one or more APs to generate anNSBR for CD 120. As one example implementation, AP 110 that CD 120 iscurrently associated with may generate an NSBR for CD 120 based on probesignals received by AP 105 and AP 115 from CD 120 that are shared withAP 110. For example, AP 105 and AP 115 may share probe signal parametersof received probe signals from CD 120 with AP 110 for compiling by AP110 into an NSBR for CD 120. Additionally or alternatively, AP 105 andAP 115 may pass the compiled probe parameters to controller 125 forgenerating the NSBR for CD 120.

In various aspects, method 200 may generate an NSBR to include a timethat each probe signal was received by a corresponding AP, an UL RSSI ofeach probe signal, and/or a derived or estimated DL RSSI for each probesignal, an Identifier (ID) of CD 120, etc. As an example, each NSBR maybe generated to include a DL RSSI derived from an UL RSSI for a probesignal received at each AP according to a signal strength of thereceived probe signal from CD 120. For example, each AP may compute anUL RSSI value to estimate a DL RSSI value for the CD 120 (e.g.,Transmitter Power Output (TPO)+Transmitter Gain−Path Loss+ReceiverGain=Estimated DL RSSI or TPO+UL RSSI=Estimated DL RSSI) according toeach probe signal received from CD 120. In certain aspects, a probeframe for a probe signal may include an embedded Link MeasurementInformation Element (IE) carrying a power element (e.g., TPO parameter)for CD 120 that may be used for DL RSSI estimation for CD 120 to includein an NSBR. Parameters of the NSBR including the DL RSSI may provide thenetwork side with an assessment of the health of CD 120 as well as whatradio environment CD 120 perceives for a given time or duration inwireless network 100. Accordingly, the network side may use the NSBR asa probe signal profile for CD 120 as part of assessing the radioenvironment of CD 120 including roaming and/or scanning trends of CD120.

For example, rather than CD 120 compiling a beacon report as isconventionally performed, method 200 may enable the NSBR mode to allowcontroller 125 to generate an NSBR for CD 120 based on probe signalparameters of one or more probe signals transmitted by CD 120, whereinthe NSBR may include an estimated DL RSSI value associated with areceived probe signal from CD 120, a time when the probe signal wasreceived, a CD identifier (e.g., Media Access Control (MAC) address),etc. As described above, controller 125 and/or each AP may determine orestimate the DL RSSI for CD 120 based in part on the UL RSSI and/or anoptional power element of a received probe signal at a correspondingendpoint.

In some aspects, method 200 may utilize each AP to compile probe signalparameters as received from CD 120 and/or generate an NSBR locally atthe respective AP. Thereafter, each AP may share compiled probe signalparameters and/or NSBRs with other APs and/or controller 125 forgenerating a complete NSBR or probe signal profile for CD 120. Forexample, method 200 may utilize controller 125 to compile the collectedprobe signal parameters from one or more of AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115received from CD 120 into an NSBR that may include a plurality ofestimated DL RSSI values of CD 120 based on UL RSSI computed at each APand which may be representative of a probe signal profile for CD 120.

As described above, in some aspects, method 200 may rely on controller125 to compile an NSBR for CD 120 according to neighbor reporting ofprobe signals received by one or more APs from CD 120. For example,assuming that CD 120 is associated with AP 110, AP 110 may provide aneighbor list that identifies AP 105 and AP 115 and channels on whichthey are respectively operating for CD 120 to use when scanning, and aspart of subsequent scanning operations, CD 120 transmits probe signalsto AP 105 and AP 115 that may include an optional power element that maybe used in determining a DL RSSI based on the UL RSSI associated witheach probe signal received by each of AP 105 and AP 115.

Continuing the example, AP 105 and AP 115 may in turn share the probesignal parameters associated with the received probe signals from CD 120to AP 110 or controller 125 for use in generating one or more NSBRs forCD 120 which may include deriving the DL RSSI from the UL RSSI and/oroptional power element. Controller 125 may then send the NSBR to AP 110to use as part of providing a hint/suggestion as to which AP CD 120 mayprefer to roam to.

If method 200 is to continue by updating the NSBR as new probe signalsare received or generate a new NSBR for CD 120 at decision 225, thenmethod 200 returns to 215. For example, method 200 may return to 215 ifa compilation time to control a probe signal collection duration togenerate a new NSBR or update an existing NSBR for CD 120 has not yetexpired. Otherwise, method 200 exits at 230. For example, method 200 mayexit at 230 if CD 120 has roamed away from wireless network 100 or ifmethod 200 adaptively resumes client-based beacon reporting or adifferent operational mode of operation of CD 120.

As an implementation example, CD 120 may be a VOIP device and method 200may be utilized in a VOIP environment to control an adaptive switch fromclient-based beacon report generation to an NSBR mode for the VOIPdevice based on a user policy or profile, application type, QoSstatistics, prior NSBRs or compiled probe profiles, etc. For example,based on the VOIP device being actively engaged in a voice session orhaving a historical primary traffic classification of voice data, method200 may utilize controller 125 to send a control signal to a single AP(e.g., AP 110 currently associated with VOIP device) or one or more APsof a group of APs (e.g., AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115) to indicateswitching from a client-based beacon report generation mode to the NSBRmode so that probe signal parameters of probe signals transmitted by theVOIP device are provided to controller 125 for compilation andgeneration of an NSBR for the VOIP device. Depending on its capabilitiesand/or operational mode, the VOIP device may operate to unicast,multicast, or broadcast probe signals to one or more APs. As describedabove, once NSBR mode is enabled, an AP may discontinue transmission ofbeacon report request frames to clients which may result in a reductionin channel traffic and/or overhead associated with wireless network 100.

As further example of method 200, an associated AP (e.g., AP 110) mayinitiate the NSBR mode with the VOIP device and any APs receiving probesignals from the VOIP device (within a Basic Service Set (SSID) orExtended SSID for example) may contribute probe signal parameters forcompiling and generating an NSBR for the VOIP device. For example,neighbor APs (e.g., AP 105 and AP 115) may share probe signal parameterswith AP 110 so that AP 110 may generate an NSBR for the VOIP device orAP 110 may compile and forward probe signal parameters to controller 125to generate the NSBR for the VOIP device.

As an additional example, controller 125 may, in real-time or nearreal-time, inform associated AP 110 to switch to an adaptive probe-basedbeacon report mode (e.g., NSBR mode) based on a number of active framesin a voice queue for some defined duration (e.g., last×ms) since theVOIP device may be unable to respond to a beacon report request whenengaged in an active voice session, multimedia session, or some otherapplication that requires high quality downlink and uplinkcommunications. As another example, controller 125 may inform associatedAP 110 to switch to the NSBR mode based on QoS requirements of the VOIPdevice as a desired QoS falls below a QoS threshold according to QoSstatistics of the VOIP device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a method 300 for generating an NSBR by controller125 based on broadcast probe signals received by AP 105, AP 110, and AP115 from CD 120. FIG. 3 depicts an example where the NSBR mode has beeninitiated by controller 125. For example, controller 125 may haveinitiated the NSBR mode based on CD 120 being actively engaged in avoice session. At 305, AP 105 receives a probe signal from CD 120, AP110 receives a probe signal from CD 120, and AP 115 receives a probesignal from CD 120 based on the broadcast probe signal transmission.

At 310, AP 105 transmits probe signal parameters associated with theprobe signal received from CD 120 to controller 125, AP 110 transmitsprobe signal parameters associated with the probe signal received fromCD 120 to controller 125, and AP 115 transmits probe signal parametersassociated with the probe signal received from CD 120 to controller 125.For example, each AP may transmit at least one UL RSSI value, andoptionally, an estimated DL RSSI value based on a received probe signalto controller 125. As described above, each AP may compile its own NSBRand have controller 125 compile each NSBR into a complete NSBR for CD120. At 315, controller 125 compiles the probe signal parametersprovided by AP 105, AP 110, and AP 115 to generate the NSBR. At 320,controller 125 may transmit the NSBR to one or more of AP 105, AP 110,and AP 115. As probe signals are received by AP 105, AP 110, and/or AP115 from CD 120, the method 300 of FIG. 3 may be used to update the NSBRwith additional probe signal parameters or create a new NSBR for CD 120.Method 300 conceptually illustrates one example embodiment. In otherembodiments, as previously discussed, one or more of the APs may sharethe probe signal parameters and/or reports compiled by the respectiveAPs based on the probe signal parameters among each other (e.g., withoutinvolving controller 125).

As an implementation example of FIG. 3 for a VOIP device, once the NSBRmode is enabled, controller 125 may compile probe signal parametersreceived by one or more APs from the VOIP device to generate an NSBR forthe VOIP device as the user moves about some location (e.g., a localsite). As described above, requesting the VOIP device to prepare abeacon report in response to a beacon report request may be detrimentalto the operation of the VOIP device due in part to an amount of timethat may be required to scan channels and generate a client-based beaconreport by the VOIP device according to IEEE 802.11k for example.

Accordingly, the NSBR mode may be used to enable controller 125 togenerate an NSBR for the VOIP device based on probe signals received byone or more APs in the local site from the VOIP device. The NSBRgenerated by controller 125 may be used to assess an operationalenvironment of the VOIP device as the user moves about the local sitewithout adversely affecting device performance since the VOIP device maynot be required to perform unnecessary scans of its radio environment.By using controller 125 to generate an NSBR for the VOIP device, theVOIP device may not be required to perform a scan as often (or at all)and the VOIP device may see reduced power consumption and improvedbattery life due in part to a reduction of scans or scan times as wellas the processing involved in compiling a beacon report by the VOIPdevice. Additionally, by reducing scans or scan times, the VOIP devicemay be less susceptible to packet loss while performing unnecessaryscans and thereby enable timely communication of voice data streampackets to maintain a desired QoS.

FIG. 4 shows computing device 400. As shown in FIG. 4, computing device400 may include a processing unit 410 and a memory unit 415. Memory unit415 may include a software module 420 and additional logic. Whileexecuting on processing unit 410, software module 420 may perform, forexample, processes for generating an NSBR based on received client probesignals as described herein. Computing device 400, for example, mayprovide an operating environment for controller 125, AP 105, AP 110, AP115, CD 120, etc. Other operational environments may be utilized, andthe present disclosure is not limited to computing device 400.

Computing device 400 may be implemented using a Wi-Fi access point, acellular base station, a tablet device, a mobile device, a smart phone,a telephone, a remote control device, a set-top box, a digital videorecorder, a cable modem, a personal computer, a network computer, amainframe, a router, a switch, a server cluster, a smart TV-like device,a network storage device, a network relay devices, or other similarmicrocomputer-based device. Computing device 400 may comprise anycomputer operating environment, such as hand-held devices,multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable senderelectronic devices, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.Computing device 400 may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices. Theaforementioned systems and devices are examples and computing device 400may comprise other systems or devices.

Embodiments of the disclosure, for example, may be implemented as acomputer process (method), a computing system, or as an article ofmanufacture, such as a computer program product or computer readablemedia. The computer program product may be a computer storage mediareadable by a computer system and encoding a computer program ofinstructions for executing a computer process. The computer programproduct may also be a propagated signal on a carrier readable by acomputing system and encoding a computer program of instructions forexecuting a computer process. Accordingly, the present disclosure may beembodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, residentsoftware, micro-code, etc.). In other words, embodiments of the presentdisclosure may take the form of a computer program product on acomputer-usable or computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the mediumfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. Acomputer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that cancontain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for useby or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice.

The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example butnot limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagationmedium. More specific computer-readable medium examples (anon-exhaustive list), the computer-readable medium may include thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portablecomputer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable mediumcould even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program isprinted, as the program can be electronically captured, via, forinstance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled,interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary,and then stored in a computer memory.

While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described, otherembodiments may exist. Furthermore, although embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described as being associated with data stored inmemory and other storage mediums, data can also be stored on or readfrom other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storagedevices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or a CD-ROM, a carrier wave fromthe Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the disclosedmethods' stages may be modified in any manner, including by reorderingstages and/or inserting or deleting stages, without departing from thedisclosure.

Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in anelectrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged orintegrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizinga microprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements ormicroprocessors. Embodiments of the disclosure may also be practicedusing other technologies capable of performing logical operations suchas, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to,mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition,embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced within a general purposecomputer or in any other circuits or systems.

Embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced via a system-on-a-chip(SOC) where elements may be integrated onto a single integrated circuit.Such an SOC device may include one or more processing units, graphicsunits, communications units, system virtualization units and variousapplication functionality all of which may be integrated (or “burned”)onto the chip substrate as a single integrated circuit. When operatingvia an SOC, the functionality described herein with respect toembodiments of the disclosure, may be performed via application-specificlogic integrated with other components of computing device 400 on thesingle integrated circuit (chip).

Embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, are described abovewith reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations ofmethods, systems, and computer program products according to embodimentsof the disclosure. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur outof the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality/acts involved.

While the specification includes examples, the disclosure's scope isindicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specificationhas been described in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or actsdescribed above. Rather, the specific features and acts described aboveare disclosed as example for embodiments of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a processing unit; andmemory storage that includes instructions which, when executed by theprocessing unit, causes the processing unit to: enable a Network SideBeacon Report (NSBR) mode to generate beacon reports remotely from aClient Device (CD); and when in the NSBR mode: compile probe signalparameters associated with one or more probe signals received at one ormore Access Points (APs) from the CD; and generate an NSBR for the CDbased on the probe signal parameters associated with the one or moreprobe signals received from the CD.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe processing unit is further caused to transmit a signal to the CDthat includes a trigger for the CD to initiate a roaming scan accordingto the NSBR.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit isfurther caused to share at least one or more parameters of the NSBR withthe one or more APs.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processingunit is further caused to synchronize the one or more APs to reportinformation received from the CD.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessing unit is further caused to: determine an Uplink (UL) ReceivedSignal Strength Indicator (RSSI) based on the probe signal parameters;estimate a Downlink (DL) RSSI for the CD based on the UL RSSI; andinclude the DL RSSI in the NSBR.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessing unit is caused to enable the NSBR mode based on one or moreof a threshold Quality of Service (QoS) parameter, a client device type,and an application type.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessing unit is further caused to adaptively switch from aclient-based beacon report mode to the NSBR mode or from the NSBR modeto the client-based beacon report mode.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the processing unit is further caused to trigger a change from aclient-based beacon report mode to the NSBR mode or from the NSBR modeto the client-based beacon report mode based on at least one of anApplication Visibility Control parameter, a User Priority parameter, anda Session Profile parameter.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessing unit is further caused to determine an amount of variancebetween DL RSSI estimations and actual DL RSSI values.
 10. A methodcomprising: enabling a Network Side Beacon Report (NSBR) mode togenerate beacon reports remotely from a Client Device (CD); and when inthe NSBR mode: compiling probe signal parameters associated with one ormore probe signals received at one or more Access Points (APs) from theCD; and generating an NSBR for the CD based on the probe signalparameters associated with the one or more probe signals received fromthe CD.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting asignal to the CD that includes a trigger for the CD to initiate aroaming scan according to the NSBR.
 12. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising sharing at least one or more parameters of the NSBR with theone or more APs.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprisingsynchronizing the one or more APs to report information received fromthe CD.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining anUplink (UL) Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) based on the probesignal parameters; estimating a Downlink (DL) RSSI for the CD based onthe UL RSSI; and including the DL RSSI in the NSBR.
 15. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising enabling of the NSBR mode based on one ormore of a threshold Quality of Service (QoS) parameter, a client devicetype, and an application type.
 16. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising adaptively switching from a client-based beacon report modeto the NSBR mode or from the NSBR mode to the client-based beacon reportmode based on at least one of an Application Visibility Controlparameter, a User Priority parameter, and a Session Profile parameter.17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set ofinstructions which when executed perform a method executed by the set ofinstructions comprising: enabling a Network Side Beacon Report (NSBR)mode to generate beacon reports remotely from a Client Device (CD); andwhen in the NSBR mode: compiling probe signal parameters associated withone or more probe signals received at one or more Access Points (APs)from the CD; and generating an NSBR for the CD based on the probe signalparameters associated with the one or more probe signals received fromthe CD.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17,further comprising adaptively switching from a client-based beaconreport mode to the NSBR mode or from the NSBR mode to the client-basedbeacon report mode based on at least one of an Application VisibilityControl parameter, a User Priority parameter, and a Session Profileparameter.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17,further comprising: determining an Uplink (UL) Received Signal StrengthIndicator (RSSI) based on the probe signal parameters; estimating aDownlink (DL) RSSI for the CD based on the UL RSSI; and including the DLRSSI in the NSBR.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 17, further comprising determining an amount of variance betweenDL RSSI estimations and actual DL RSSI values.